Availed myself of a stonking F fare LHR to CPT via DXB (only slightly more expensive than an Ecom fare direct with BA or SAA!) First time up front as I've only travelled "cattle" before so really looking forward to it.

Can anybody tell me which first class product is available on the following sectors (they are all on the 777-300ER according to the website) but am confused as to which ones have suites or type of seating!

11/7 EK16 LGW - DXB
12/7 EK770 DXB - CPT
17/7 EK771 CPT - DXB
18/7 EK3 DXB - LHR

Also is it best to have the bulkhead row or the 2nd row of seats (I'd like the window if I can get it!)

Thanks in advance

Out of that lot, I would imagine that EK3 will be the only one with a Suite.

So I'm presuming the other sectors will have the flat bed seats with mini bar not the old "lie flat" seats ?

Which is the best row?

Try to get a window seat, in row 2. It may be the 2-2-2 configuration, on there isn't great privacy in the aisle seats even in F on the older configurations.

I second safari_7 , go for row two window. Avoid the aisle seats B and E I guess... the airconditioning vent is right on top of these and boy does it get cold. Although depending on their mood, EK will give a duvet rather than the F/J blanket, so the draft wont be much of a problem. The seats in the middle are crap as far as privacy is concerned.
unless you are getting a suite, IMHO the only differeintating factor on an older EK plane in F, is the dine on demand. Rather than the two-hour-meal-service-in-J.

Thanks for the info, this is what I've got to choose from:

EK16 I've taken 1k as that is the only window seat available.

EK770 No window seats left so I've been assigned 1b. All 4 middle seats are available as is 2b - what shall I do, do I take the middle to avoid the cold?

EK771 This one's busy! No window seats, been assigned 1b again. Row 2 middle seats available as are 2b and 2 further aisle window seats??

EK3 This must be the one with the Suites, been assigned 1k but the two Row 2 window suites are available - are they better?

Personally, I prefer the openness of the middle aisle seats. They are much easier to get into and out of (esp in bed mode) than any of the other seats, and you don't have anyone stepping over you as you sleep. And if the divider is up, you really don't have to interact at all with the person on the other side of the middle pair

According to my limited experience (BKK-HKG) only, Row 2 is better than Row 1 as Row 1 is narrower than Row 2 due to the curve of the front.

Moreover, I found that Row 2 feel more spacious as you have the huge overhead area, no need to face the bulkhead wall and a bit farer with the front galley, so that it would be less noisy

Just came back from Zurich yesterday using both B777 300 and 300ER and believe me the suites in the ER are brilliant. I may be misguided as normally I don't get to the pointy end usually but you have loads of privacy they are very comfortable. Our flight was a day flight so didn't need to use the bed mode so will not comment. Found the 300 OK but would have been very disappointed if I had paid the full 1st class fare and that was what I got.

It is quite difficult to get out from the window if the other seat is in bed mode (especially if your gut is like mine and not as small as it could be) but the seat was comfortable enough either sitting on lying so it should be fun enough.

Go and enjoy the experience of 1st class it sure as hell beats up the back!!

Just a quick note, as I've just the first 2 legs i.e. LGW/DXB and DXB/CPT, I can report that the info for the Gatwick leg didn't help ;-)

It was scheduled as a Skycruiser service in F so imagine my surprise when I boarded the aircraft and it had suites! Bit of a bugger really as I was ready for my last flight being in the suites and therefore something to look forward to. Although it was fantastic, it made the led DXB/CPT a bit of a non event as there really is no comparison between the suites and the Skycruiser seats

In reference to other posts, if you have the Skycruiser seats in F and the new flat seat in J, the only real difference is dine on demand imo. And in respect of the crews, the crew out of LGW were pretty poor, yet the crew out of DXB you couldn't fault!

agree about EK16,took it last month and flight attendants not really interested plus old suites that were falling apart.